The main target of the series are engineers interested in biology and medicine, and
specifically bioengineers and bioroboticists. Volume published in the series comprise
monographs, edited volumes, lecture notes, as well as selected conference proceedings and
PhD theses. The series also publishes books purposely devoted to support education in
bioengineering, biomedical engineering, biomechatronics and biorobotics at graduate and
post-graduate levels.
The cover of the book series Biosystems & Biorobotics features a robotic hand prosthesis.
This looks like a natural hand and is ready to be implanted on a human amputee to help them
recover their physical capabilities. This picture was chosen to represent a variety of concepts
and disciplines: from the understanding of biological systems to biomechatronics,
bioinspiration and biomimetics; and from the concept of human-robot and human-machine
interaction to the use of robots and, more generally, of engineering techniques for biological
research and in healthcare. The picture also points to the social impact of bioengineering
research and to its potential for improving human health and the quality of life of all
individuals, including those with special needs. The picture was taken during the
LIFEHAND experimental trials run at Università Campus Bio-Medico of Rome (Italy) in
2008. The LIFEHAND project tested the ability of an amputee patient to control the
Cyberhand, a robotic prosthesis developed at Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna in Pisa (Italy),
using the tf-LIFE electrodes developed at the Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical
Engineering (IBMT, Germany), which were implanted in the patient’s arm. The implanted
tf-LIFE electrodes were shown to enable bidirectional communication (from brain to hand
and vice versa) between the brain and the Cyberhand. As a result, the patient was able to
control complex movements of the prosthesis, while receiving sensory feedback in the form
of direct neurostimulation. For more information please visit http://www.biorobotics.it or
contact the Series Editor